Advertising signs



P 1933- 5 o. L. SANDERS 1,925,155

ADVERTISING SIGN Filed Oct. 27, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR 0504/6 Z.$00595 ATTORNEY Se t. 5, 1933. o. L. SANDERS 1 ADVERTI S ING SIGN FiledOct. 27, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 a2 54 E20. 6' INVENTOR ATTORN EY Sept 5,19336 0. L. SANDERS ADVERTISING SIGN Filed Oct. 27, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet5 FIG-8 INVENTOR 0604/6 L .64/1 0565 U- ATTOR N EY Patented Sept. 5,1933 I I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ADVERTISING SIGNS Oscar LeeSanders, San Diego, Calif.

Application October 27, 1930. Serial No. 491,394

7 Claims. (01. 40130) My invention relates to signs, and the objects isalso adapted to maintain the sign in a warmed of my invention are:condition during cold weather so as to prevent the First, to provide asign which is particularly collection of ice or sleet; Fig. is adiagrammatiadapted to be animated; cal view of a mechanical means foroperating my 5 Second, to provide a sign which is particularly sign;Fig. 6 is a diagrammatical view of a modi- 60 efiective when used inconjunction with illumified'mechanical means of operating my sign; Fig.nable gas tubes, such as neon tubes; 7 is a further modified mechanicalmeans of Third, to provide a sign in which the illuminaoperating y Sign;8 is a modified form of tion may appear to begin at one end thereof andmy sign structure; Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sec- 10 travel progressivelyto the other end thereof in tional V w the e f thr ugh 9-9 of Fig. 8,and 65 such a manner that the illuminated portions of 0 is a transverseSectional Vi w t h the sign become visible in uniformly progressive 0 ofF order; Similar characters of reference refer to similar Fourth, toprovide a sign of this class which parts and portions throughout theseveral views of eliminates the need of rapid blinking of adjathedrawings- 7 cent units of a sign in order to produce an ani- Gas tubes1, fl Conductors Couplings mated effect, thus prolonging the life'of theillupipes 4, il 5, ntainer 6, heating m ns minable gas tubes; p p s pu p1 pip 13, parat n tank 4, Fifth, to provide a sign which may be heatedOutlet P p 15 and Valve p p Shaft during cold weather so as to preventthe collection 19, ratchet p catch armature of sleet or icy particlesand the consequent danger o eno d Sequence w c e ec city conof injury tothe sign; ductors 25, flashing switch 26, pipe 31, double Sixth, toprovide a sign in which many differ- Valve D p p pe 34, container 35,reservoir em; forms of animation may be prgvided, thus 36, floatswitches 37 and 38, valve shaft 39, armaproviding a sign which lendsitself to the limitatules 40 and 41, Solenoids 42 and Switch tions andadvantages of each place of installa- P ,D D P p 53, Separating tank 5as t pipe 55, liquid pipe 56, common pipe 57, character Seventh, toprovide a sign which eliminates the ferming Container members ommonintake unsightliness of the conventional neon tube sign main d on Outletmain 63 constitute during daytime by forming an independent sign theprin pal pa ts a d p s o my n v l i n. in front of th neon t b The signstructure illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7,

Eighth, to provide a novel sign element for inclusive, Comprises lengthsof as tubes 1 arign of th l a d ranged substantially in the manner ofthe convenmth, t provide on th h l a novelly tional neon sign. These gastubes or neon sign structed sign which is simple of constructionproelements ave the usual terminals la. portional to its functions,durable, efficient in its Formed Over around the neon Sign tube is aaction, and which will not readily deteriorate or flu conductor The fl dco ctor 2 ay he get t of rd of U-shaped cross section, in which case itex- With these and other objects in view as will tends app at y a w y aund the neon appear hereinafter, my invention consists of certubetainnovel features of construction, combination The fluid conductor istransparent and p and arrangement of parts and portions as Will embly ed0f aSS- It y b o med from be hereinafter described in detail andparticularly an annular tube of glass y P s the glass, set forth in theappended claims, reference being when heated to a Plastic Condition,Over the neon had to the accompanying drawings and to the tube, thusfusing the tube with the conductor characters of reference thereon whichform a part and forming a unitary t u However, W of this application, inwhich: the particular configuration of the neon tube can Figure 1 is anelevational view of my sign with be duplicated y, the Conductor y heparts and portions broken away to facilitate the fOIIned independentlyof the tube that p 105 illustration; Fig. 2 is an enlarged transversesecment of the tube does t equi e rep t of tional view of the signelements taken through the fluid conduetor- 2--2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is anenlarged sectional In the Ordinary Sign, t s possible to av view takenthrough 3-3 of Fig. 1, with parts an one continuous neon tube; hence theneon tubes 55 portions shown in elevation; Fig. 4 is an illustraarensllally divided into S t eh having its no on of one method of operatingmy Sign which terminals. Where the neon tube 1s m the form of strips orany continuous line, the terminals of adjacent sections of the tubingare as close together as possible, so as to minimize the break in thelight.

The fluid conductors may also be divided into unitary sections, as shownin Fig. 1. The ends of each section of the conductor are formed intoshort, right angularly disposed tubes 2a, which extend into the face Aof the sign support. Inside of the sign the contiguous ends of adjacentfluid conductor sections may be connected by a short tubing 3, such asrubber tubing, this being easily positioned over the ends of the fluidconductor and readily forming a fluid-tight joint therewith.

The purpose of the fluid conductor is to enable a liquid or gas to bepassed in front of the neon tube. In the diagrammatical view, Fig. 4,the ends of the fluid conductor are joined to pipes 4, which areconnected to the ends of a coil 5. The

coil 5 is positioned in a suitable container 6, in

which is also a heating means 7, such as an electrical heating coil,steam pipe coil, or gas heater. The heating means causes a circulationof liquid or gas through the fluid conductor 2, thus warming the neontubes and preventing the collection of sleet or other ice formation andthe consequent damage to the neon tube.

The circulation of fluid thus provided may be also used to causeanimation of the signs. This may be accomplished by using two immiscibleliquids, such as water and oil, and dissolving in one of the liquids asubstance insoluble in the other liquid, and which is capable ofrendering the liquid in which it is dissolved relatively opaque. Whenthe opaque liquid fills the sign, it is rendered invisible at night, butas the opaque liquid passes from the sign and is followed by the othertransparent liquid, the sign becomes progressively illuminated.

Beginning at one end, the illuminated portion increases uniformly untilthe transparent liquid completely fills the sign. The opaque liquid thenbegins to fill the sign again, progressively blotting out theillumination from the neon tube until the transparent liquid has beenreplaced by the opaque liquid, whereupon the cycle begins over again. Ifnot desired to completely blot out the sign, theliquids may be dividedso that the sign has alternately illuminated and blotted out portions,traveling from one end to the other end thereof.

It will be noted that this use of the liquid is particularly adapted tohave neon signs arranged in the form of scripts, as the advancingillumination of the sign gives an appearance of writing by an iinvisiblehand.

If desired, a mechanical means may be provided for effecting acirculation of fluid through the fluid conductors, such an arrangementas is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 5.

In this case, the liquid passes from the sign through a pipe 11, intothe intake side of a pump means 12, from the outlet of the pump, througha second pipe 13, to a separating tank 14. Bafiie means 14a are providedin the tank, which are arranged in such a manner as to allow separationof the two liquids used in the system, two immiscible liquids being usedas in the first arrangement.

bottom of the tank so as always to draw on the heavier liquid.

The pipes 15 and 16 extend into a valve 17, which communicates with apipe 18, leading to the intake side of the fluid conduit 2. The valve 17is adapted to alternately connect the pipes 15 and 16 with the pipe 18.

The valve 17 is mounted on a shaft 19, upon which is also mounted aratchet wheel 20. The ratchet wheel 20 is engaged by a pawl 21, which isconnected to an armature 22, which is acted upon by a solenoid 23. Thesolenoid is in series with a suitable sequence switch 24, whichperiodically completes the circuit so as to cause periodic operation ofthe solenoid. The neon tube 1 may be connected through conductor 25 andthe transformer to a flashing switch 26 mounted on the shaft 19.

Operation of this circulating mechanism is as follows:

Circulation through the conductor 2 is continuous. The level in theseparating tank 14 is approximately constant but the relative amounts ofthe two liquids therein vary. The valve 17 permits the passage of oneliquid during a period long enough to fill the fluid conductor 2, thenshuts off the flow of this liquid and causes the flow of the otherliquid. Thus, if one liquid is opaque, the neon sign is blotted outperiodically, and as the opaque liquid is drained off, it gives forthillumination progressively from one end, thus causing an apparentmovement of the light from one end to the other of the sign.

During the times when the sign is blotted out, or when filling with theopaque liquid, the neon sign may be turned off. This is the purpose ofthe flashing switch 26.

By speeding up the action of the solenoids 23, the opaque andtransparent portions of the sign may follow in rapid succession.

It is obvious, of course, that instead of using opaque liquid,contrasting colored liquids may be used, which when illuminated by theparticular color of the various types of gas tubes, give 011 the desiredlight.

In the structure shown in Fig. 6, a single liquid only need be used. Inthis structure, the lower or discharge end of the conductor 2 isconnected through a pipe 31 to a double valve 32. The double valve 32 isconnected through a pump 33 and through a pipe 34 to a container 35. Thedouble valve 32 is arranged to oscillate so that when in one extremeposition, the pipe 31 is connected to the intake side of the pump andthe outlet side of the pump is connected through the pipe 34 to thecontainer. When the valve is in its other extreme position, it isconnected to the outlet side of the pump, while the inlet side of. thepump is connected with the container. Thus, with the pump continuouslyrotating in one direction, liquid may be pumped into or drawn from theconductor 2. The upper or other end of the fluid conductor 2 isconnected to a reservoir 36, which may be relatively small as comparedto the container 35.

Associated with the reservoir 36, is a switch 37, operated by a float37a extending into the reservoir 36. Likewise, the container 35 isprovided with a switch 38, having a float 38a arranged to extend intothe container. The double valve 32 is mounted on a shaft 39, having anarm 39a connected therewith, which, in turn, is joined to the armatures40, and 41 of solenoid coils 42 and 43, respectively. The solenoid coil42 is connected in series with the switch 3'! and the solenoid 43 isconnected in series with the switch 38.

The circuit through the neon or gas tube is controlled by a switch 44actuated by the shaft 39.

Operation of this structure is as iollows:

The container 35, pipe line 34, pump 33, and a portion of the pipe line31 are filled with liquid, preferably an opaque liquid. When thusfilled, the switch 38 associated with the container is in its closedposition, whereas the switch 37 asso ciated with the reservoir is in itsopen position, and the pump 32 is so connected as to draw the liquidfrom the container and force it outwardly through conductor 2. The flowcontinues in this direction until the fluid conductor is completelyfilled, and the level of the liquid has risen into the reservoir 36, tothe point where the switch 3'7 is closed. This is the conditionillustrated in Fig. 6. As soon as the liquid level in the container 35has dropped below the float 38a, the switch 38 is open so that uponclosing of the switch 37, the solenoid 42 is actuated whereupon thedouble valve 32 shifts from the dotted line to the solid position shownin Fig. 6 so as to connect the intake side of the pump 33 with the fluidconductor 2. The pump then draws the liquid out of the conductor 2, andthe conductor 2 becames filled with air drawn in through the reservoir37. As the air is transparent the receding level of the opaque level ofthe opaque level gives the appearance that the neon tube isprogressively becoming illuminated from one end to the other.

In the operating mechanism shown in Fig. 7, a mixture of air and opaqueor transparent liquid, is continuously drawn through the conductor 2.This is done by connecting one end of the conductor 2 to a pipe 51,which, in turn, is connected with the intake side of the pump 52. Theoutlet side of the pump is connected through a pipe 53 to a separatingtank 54.

Leading from the outward side of the separating tank, 54, is an airconducting pipe 55, having a metering jet 55a therein. Leading from thelower portion of the separating tank 54 is a liquid pipe 56, also havinga metering jet 56a. The two pipes connect to a common tube 57,communicating with the fluid conductor 2. The air metering jet 55a isconsiderably smaller than the liquid metering jet 56a. The proportionalsizes of the metering jets are such that the proportions of air andliquid in the conductors 2 are of the right amount. The air tends tocollect in bubbles, which act upon the light issuing from the neon orgas tubes in sucha manner as to vary its appearance. As the bubbles aretraveling from one end to the other of a tube, it gives the appearanceof a corresponding flow of the light. Thus, the light appears to flowfrom one end to the other of the tube.

In Fig. 8, the neon tubes 1 are arranged to form more conventionalletters or characters. In this structure the characters are in the formof roman or block lettering in which the neon tubes form the bordersthereof. Positioned over the neon tubes are fluid containers 61, whichembrace the entire area of the letters, as shown best in Figs. 8 and 10.The lower end or ends or each fluid container 61 is joined to a commonmain supply pipe 62. Each 01 its upper ends is connected to a commonoutlet pipe 63.

This structure may be used with any of the foregoing describedcirculating mechanisms. In addition, the conductors may be used to forman attractive day-time sign which covers up the unsightliness of theneon or gas tubes when these tubes are not in use. This is accomplishedby filling the containers 61 with an opaque or translucent liquid andkeeping the liquid there during the day-time.

Though I have shown and described a particular construction, combinationand arrangement of parts and portions, and certain modificationsthereof, I do not wish to be limited to this particular construction,combination and arrangement, nor to the modifications, but desire toinclude in the scope of my invention the construction, combination andarrangement substantially as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a sign structure, a sign element comprising an outline formingilluminable gas tube and a removable fluid conduit only partiallyembracing said tube at one side only.

2. In a sign structure, a sign element comprising an outline formingilluminable gas tube and a removable fluid conduit only partiallyembracing said tube, a fluid circulating system, including said fluidconduit, and means for circulating a fluid therethrough.

3. In a sign structure, an illuminating means arranged to formcharacters, a fluid container only partially embracing said illuminatingmeans and forming a character similar to that formed by saidilluminating means.

4. In a sign structure, an outline forming tubular illuminating means, aremovable fluid conductor coextensive therewith, a circulating systemjoining the ends of and including said fluid conductor, a plurality ofimmiscible liquids in said system, means for circulating said fluid, andmeans for separating said fluids, whereby the fluids passing throughsaid fluid conductor are distinguishable-one from the other.

5. In a sign structure, an outline forming illuminating means, a fluidconductor partially embracing said illuminating means, a fluid pumpingsystem connected with said fluid conductor, and means forreversing theflow of the fluid through said conductor.

6. In a sign element; an outline forming flluminable gas tube, a fluidconductor, said fluid conductor having a substantially crescent shapedcross section so as to partially embrace said gas tube.

7. In a sign structure, a character forming gas filled illuminable tube,a fluid conductor following the path of said illuminable tube, said tubehaving an annular cross section, said fluid conductor having a crescentshaped cross section and partially embracing said gas tube.

OSCAR LEE SANDERS.

